Bibliography Powell, Patricia H. 2017. Loving vs. Virginia: A Documentary Novel of the Landmark Civil Rights Case. Ill. by Shadra Strickland. San Francisco: Chronicle Books. ISBN 9781452125909 Review & Critical Analysis This beautiful verse novel documents the landmark civil rights case that legalized marriage between races. More importantly, it is the story of a couple who embarked on the arduous journey to have the right to be married and live where they chose as a couple, no matter the color of their skin. The poems in this verse novel are simple, yet incredibly emotional and deep. Each is written in free verse, varying in length. Some poems are pages long, while others are just a few lines. The perspective of each poem switches between Mildred (Millie) and Richard as their story evolves. The voices of each person are clear and consistent, creating different emotions. You can feel the love and desire between them, Richard’s anger at their situation, Millie’s fear while in jail, etc. Powell does an incredible job of creating a detailed scene for each poem in just a few short words. The reader is able to easily understand how each character feels, creating a lasting emotional connection to the Loving’s story. One of the most striking elements of the poetry in this verse novel is its historical connection. The experiences and topics covered have an incredible historical significance and can help readers develop a deeper understanding of this time in our nation’s history. Being that it is a verse novel, it is a much faster, and, in my opinion, easier read than a typical nonfiction title. The poems help the reader think and feel as if they were in the character’s shoes, creating an emotional connection that brings history to life. Even with the switching perspectives and length of time covered by this novel, the poems remain consistent and engaging. They stimulate a range of emotions that help the reader connect with the characters and more fully understand the social and emotional impact of living during this historical period. The voices of the characters are distinct and vulnerable, allowing the reader to walk in his/her shoes. Powell helps the reader to understand the legal and social context of the poems by providing inserts with pictures, quotes, and images of actual legal documents in the text. The poems are arranged in chronological order starting in the fall of 1952 and carrying through until June of 1967. The poems switch perspectives between Mildred and Richard, which is indicated in the title of each poem along with the date and sometimes the location in which that part of the story took place. Powell also includes an epilogue, a timeline, and a bibliography that includes all of the personal interviews she conducted, written material she used, and images included in the book. These images include snapshots of demonstrators, bus burnings, and even President Lyndon B. Johnson signing the Civil Rights Act. Powell also includes credits to the text excerpts and quotes she uses throughout the story. One of the most beautiful elements of this book are the illustrations created by Shadra Strickland. At the end of the book, Strickland explains the style of the illustrations and the background from which they came. She also gives some insight into how she went about creating them. These illustrations add a new, meaningful context to the story, and are placed intermittently throughout the book. This verse novel is an incredible work of history, culture, and art. It not only tells the personal story of the Lovings, but also includes important historical information that brings the story to life. Powell’s vivid imagery and well-developed characters create a deep emotional connection that engages the readers and keeps them reading, and hoping, for the outcome the Lovings deserve. Spotlight Poem MILDRED ONE MONTH LATER JUNE 1957 Mama says, “I guess you’re serious about that boy.” “Yeah, Mama, I am.” “Bring him round to dinner.” Richard comes for Sunday dinner – one o’clock sharp. Aunt Coree Johnson comes, most of my brothers are here. Mama boils chicken, collards, turnips. I slice bread we baked this morning. Garnet fries last year’s apples. And we have rice pudding for dessert. The cream is from our cow who I milked this morning, eggs laid by our chickens. Richard has sate here many times. But today we have on the checkered tablecloth because he is my special guest. The table is heaped with food, Sidney in a basket alongside me, family crowded around. Richard grabs my hand under the table, at the same time he slips the napkin off my lap, puts it on his. Still holding his one hand, I grab for my napkin. But he won’t let me have it. I can’t help but giggle – having our own conversation with no words under the table hidden by the cloth, while everyone else talks over the top of the table. This poem, found on pages 105-106, highlights the loving relationship between Millie and Richard. They belonged to a segment of society that did not see others differently based on the color of their skin, as shown by their touching story and this novel. It is hard to believe that the Civil Rights Act was signed only 53 years ago. Discrimination and prejudice still exist, but what the Lovings endured is almost unimaginable. I would introduce this poem to students by reading it aloud. After reading, I would introduce the story of the Lovings and the effect segregation and discrimination had on them and their relationship using other poems from the book. I would use these poems in context with a study of the Civil Rights Movement and Civil Rights Act. As a follow-up activity, I would have students find and collect poems from other people who were affected by discrimination and prejudice, or poems written about those peoples. As a class, we would create an anthology including a brief history of the time period and events surrounding each poem picked. This anthology could be included in the classroom or library collection for students, staff, and community to refer to and read in the future.
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AuthoRMy name is Mrs. Scott and I'm a secondary Media Resource Specialist (librarian) in Texas. This blog was created as part of my graduate coursework at Texas Woman's University. All reviews and opinions are my own. Archives
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